The Entrepreneurial Spirit vs. The COVID-19 Pandemic

by: Ivan Andrew C. Combalicer, Thames International Undergraduate Student

The COVID-19 pandemic has tremendously impacted most businesses all over the world. The global nightmare made it seem scary to take risks and see opportunities. But some entrepreneur students of Thames International took that risk and succeeded despite the struggles of this pandemic.

Last April 8, 2021,  Thames Entrepreneurial Network conducted their second Ten Talks event. This event allowed the members of the organization to showcase their businesses and share how they overcame the challenges they faced from this pandemic.

The first entrepreneur student to share was the co-founder of Everything Art, Audrey Dela Cruz. What started as a coping mechanism from this pandemic, Audrey Dela Cruz and her sister saw their talent in painting, sketching, and journaling as a business opportunity. Having no experience in the art business, it was a challenge for them to sell arts and crafts. They managed to overcome this problem through market research. They also had difficulty in managing their time as they were both students, and Audrey is an employee of her parents, but with proper scheduling, they managed to get through.

The second to present was The Belly Star, managed by Mikaela Veloso. The Belly Star provides Filipino-inspired flavored Lechon bellies that give customers a new experience. They started in 2015 by taking potluck orders and it grew as the demand for it increase through word of mouth. During this pandemic, the inflation of pork and other ingredients they use has caused them to increase the price of their Lechon belly. Like Audrey, Mikaela is also having a hard time juggling her responsibilities as a student, head of a school organization, and business owner. This pandemic also stops her from getting The Belly Star registered.  Despite all these, she is still determined to continue her business and provide people with Lechon bellies that are crispy on the outside, but juicy and tasty on the inside.

Next to present was Mikhaella Lejano, the woman who runs El Cocina Ph–, a home-based business that fuses international street food with a touch of Filipino taste starting with Mexico’s Birria Tacos. It took them weeks to find the perfect taste for the Filipino market. The inflation of the ingredients they use, and managing her responsibilities are some of the challenges she faces. Nonetheless, Ella Lejano still makes sure that she still meets all of her duties. She started the business on July 25, 2020, and has continued to thrive until now.

“Everyone deserves a safe and loving home.” This was the statement of Chesarah Cordova,  the owner of CLC Apartments, located near Marcos Highway in the vicinity of the Kingsville Subdivision. Chesarah aims to provide people a safe and modernized living environment through her business. Operations were postponed at the beginning of the pandemic but fortunately, they managed to continue mid-year. They also had to buy the lot in front of the apartment just so they could build a parking lot for their tenants. They have solar panels which can cut the electricity cost by 60%.

Lastly, Joshua Balasbas shared the business he has been planning to launch soon– Amoy Kape. Noting the stress this pandemic has been causing, Joshua aims to help ease people’s worries through his coffee-scented candles. The candles are made from 100% soy and come with the scents of Roasted Coffee, Coffee Peppermint, Coffee Cinnamon. Joshua is planning to launch his business this April. 

Before the event ended, Entrepreneurship Program Chair Miss Joedy Cruel, who is also the adviser of Thames Entrepreneurial Network, surprised everyone by giving recognition to the most outstanding student venture for the year 2020– El Cocina Ph. This award is given to the business that has the highest sales throughout the year. The event ended successfully as it made the viewers inspired and proud of their fellow students who used their entrepreneurial spirit to face the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thames International is committed to building a new order for the world by giving talented students and entrepreneurs the tools to thrive and lead the way in a world beset by rapid change. If you’re interested in augmenting your skills and making connections with some of the brightest minds in business education today, please take a look at our future-proof undergraduate degree programs.